Launching Uniting America | John Wood Jr. with Ciaran OConnor See More from John Wood, Braver Angels national ambassador John Wood Jr. has launched a new podcast with the goal of uniting Americans. Under Newmans bill, the state would need to adopt regulations for a textile stewardship program by Dec. 31, 2025. His most recent book is Against Civility, The Hidden Racism in Our Obsession with Civility. When Braver Angels, formerly Better Angels, rolled out as a national platform for civil political conversation, the message centered on uniting "red" and "blue" voters (generally conservative and liberal) in workshops and debates so participants could practice confronting often the most extreme examples of opposition to their own beliefs. My point is that as citizens, we must be able to cut through this propaganda by challenging our thinking issue by issue. Sen. Josh Newman wants clothing and textile manufacturers in California to boost recycling to reduce the environmental impact of the fashion industry. Since 1846, AP has been covering the worlds biggest news events, committed to the highest standards of objective, accurate journalism. But since those increased costs will likely be passed along to consumers, that may wind up being a difference with little distinction. This was the first time listening after coming across a link to this episode on Twitter. I would argue, then, that disagreement is the essence of democratic politics if we had no differences, there would be no need for politics. The center also said in a statement that two Coast Guard vessels and one border police boat would keep up the search overnight, while on Tuesday morning, two helicopters and specialized divers would resume their search. After 45 minutes of brainstorming, a local stockbroker named Chuck Mazac stands up to share the work of the red group. Braver Angels has staged two workshops in La Grange, with more planned. Such pushback did not surprise Newman. STECCATO DI CUTRO, Italy The death toll rose to at least 63 in the migrant tragedy off Italys southern coast after rescue crews recovered several more bodies Monday, driving home once again the desperate and dangerous boat crossings of people seeking to reach Europe. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. ", Betsy Harwood, retired family therapist, Democrat: "I think that what we see here in this room is the true America. Doherty is a Minneapolis family therapist and professor who modeled the workshops on his counseling experience: get antagonists to meet face to face. A previous version of this story incorrectly said that the Bridging Divides Initiative is at Stanford. "Although it seems like a laudable exercise to have folks bridge political divides, it is not how political power works and it's not how change occurs," says Alex Zamalin, a political scientist and director of African American Studies at the University of Detroit Mercy. But they're not the solution in itself to our problem of polarization.". Still stuck? It's a group of people who can get together and talk politely with each other and understand each other. E.g. This bill will do nothing to help the problem except give people a lot of work to do, she said. Its an in-person, interactive event that gets Reds, Blues, Purples and other Colors engaged in productive civil disagreement. (Antonino Durso/LaPresse via AP), A view of part of the wreckage of a capsized boat that was washed ashore at a beach near Cutro, southern Italy, Monday, Feb. 27, 2023. The formula is simple: invite political opposites to sit down, talk civilly and listen to each other. We work in communities, on college campuses, in the media, and in the halls of political power. What a "Mixed" Rating Means Sources with an AllSides Media Bias Rating of Mixed aggregate news or content from sources with biases on the left, center, and right to transparently provide multiple perspectives. Is it a fight? So we should tackle our differences in debate formats. Learn more. We are a national movementto bridge the partisan divide. Americans are fleeing to places where political views match their own, Christian nationalism is still thriving and is a force for returning Trump to power, Imagine another American Civil War, but this time in every state. Using successful divide-and-conquer strategies, they exhibit anti-democratic tendencies, and operate in ways detrimental to the interests of the broader political community. Experience a movement to reignite the spirit of America and defeat the forces that divide us. A Braver Angel is a citizen with a political leaning Red (as defined here), Blue (as defined here), Other (as defined here), or none at all. The Braver Angels podcast and Braver Angels media has been one of our longest running, most successful, I guess you might call it public diplomacy projects that does interviews with a variety of . Clearly, Newman argued, a more comprehensive solution is needed. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for a redoubling of efforts to deal with the problem. Now he runs a multipronged business under the umbrella name RecyclingQuotes.com that recycles textiles at a facility in Atlanta, with some of his biggest clients California-based clothing manufacturers. Italys Sky TG24 said at least three people had been detained on suspicion they helped organize the trip from Izmir, Turkey. A Red/Blue Workshop in La Grange, Texas, was put on by volunteers with the nonprofit Braver Angels, which stages encounters and debates all over the country as a way to reduce political polarization. The second problem I observed was that the format impeded rebuttals to specific subjective opinions, whether from one side or the other. "Fighting With a Family Member Over Politics? That typically means using heavy machinery to shred the clothing for rags or repurpose the fibers in other products, such as stuffing for furniture, insulation or carpet padding. Try searching your inboxes for Braver Angels membership donation receipts. Notably, Cindy Hirshberg (left) is a Democrat in her mid-70s and 33-year-old . The Braver Angels Podcast brings you face to face with leading voices from across the divide alongside remarkable Americans you did not know existed. From how I read BAs literature, this is the intended result: BA is not about changing minds, its about listening to different dialogues. And so anything that we can do to work together as Americans and depolarize our conversations is important," retired tax lawyer Karl Schmalz tells the group before they get started. From the grassroots however, our volunteer leaders (supported by a small staff) leverage Braver Angels programs and unique organizing structure to impact community life and American institutions. Our strength comes from our members and most of our work is done by patriotic volunteers. This can be explained best through the actual debate that took place. Italian authorities rejected criticism of a delayed rescue, noting they had dispatched two rescue boats shortly after the European Unions border agency spotted the 20-foot (6-meter) boat Saturday night as it headed toward shore. By definition these perspectives are subjective and serve to affirm ones identity through differing points of view. More were feared dead given survivor accounts that the boat, which set off from Turkey last week, was carrying about 170 people. Rather it is a failure of our political culture, due to certain forces pulling us apart instead of pulling us together as a society. Braver Angels: Reuniting America is a 50-minute documentary about what happened before, during and after a Braver Angels Red/Blue workshop in Waynesville, Ohio. Click Next and submit a support request below. Tickets for Brunch and a Fight (Braver Angels SoCal/Fighting to Understand) can be booked here. ", "Braver Angels is the solution to the divisiveness and rancor threatening our nation.". The rescue operation was declared early Sunday after the remains of the boat were discovered on the shore near Crotone, Frontex said. And why is it the manufacturers problem?. It is more important for our government to enforce existing laws and policies to address the immigration crisis at the border. And Nicole Suydam, CEO of Goodwill of Orange County and chair of the California Council of Goodwills, said her organization is looking forward to working with Newman on those plans. We must not be enemies. And then theres the rise of zero waste and buy nothing movements, where people swap clothing and other goods for free. What Is a Braver Angels Action Group? However, I had a distinct feeling that participants left the meeting with the same firm opinions on which they arrived, with blues thinking the EC is undemocratic and disenfranchising, and reds thinking we dont have a democracy, we have a republic. A Red/Blue Workshop in La Grange, Texas, was put on by volunteers with the nonprofit Braver Angels, which stages encounters and debates all over the country as a way to reduce political polarization. For one thing, this group is uniformly white, gray-haired and college educated. Not sure which email that was? Braver Angels groups are called alliances, and one has been going strong in St. Albans since 2017, shortly after former president Donald Trump's inauguration. Our work is rooted in grassroots organizing. Listen in as Haidt author of The Righteous Mind, The Coddling of the American Mind, and the upcoming Life After Babel: Adapting To A World We Can No Longer Share joins Braver Angels Mnica Guzmn for a conversation that explores everything from Haidts favorite bit of ancient wisdom to the problem with kids these days (especially girls on the Left) and what it might ultimately mean to be loyal to truth. But sometimes she said its necessary for companies to destroy products to protect their brand. This site uses cookies from Google to deliver its services and to analyze traffic. Peter Coleman is professor of psychology and education at Columbia University and author of The Way Out: How To Overcome Toxic Polarization. At the same time, a growing focus on sustainability has created a massive market for rented and used clothing. He has extensively researched the red-blue divide in American party politics by focusing on county level census and voting data. A brunch buffet will be served and is included in the $36 ticket cost. You can find recordings of our past public events on the Braver Angels YouTube channel, If you're looking for Braver Angels gear, check out our, If you are interested in joining your local alliance or would like to speak with your State Coordinator, please find your state on, If you are interested in finding and joining a local alliance, please find your state on, You can view our Braver Politics home page. Building Bridges started from conversations among a small group of people who felt that, regardless of the outcome of the election, there would be a need for a place where everyone could share their views without criticism. Then you will discuss a divisive political issue in a powerful new way that will teach you how to talk through differences. Your support will allow us to offer more workshops and debates with the ultimate goal of uniting America. Overcrowded refugee camps in Greece and the increasing difficulty to join family in Western and Northern Europe have also led more people to pay smugglers thousands of euros to get to Italy instead. It's difficult to gauge whether the Braver Angels' Red/Blue Workshop helped bridge the partisan divides in La Grange. The emphasis is on inclusion of different viewpoints and a balance between red vs. blue perspectives. Click Next and submit a support request below. https://www.ap.org/about/news-values-and-principles/, Italy migrant tragedy death toll over 60,, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Italy migrant tragedy death toll over 60, dozens missing, At least 60 dead in migrant boat capsizing off Italy, California says it can no longer afford aid for COVID testing, vaccinations for migrants, DHS chief Mayorkas talks immigration with Latino Senate Democrats, New crew from US, Russia and UAE arrives at space station but not without docking glitch, Kremlin blames Ukraine for attack inside Russian territory, Greece train crash search moves centimeter by centimeter, China dismisses FBI statement that COVID-19 likely leaked from Wuhan lab, Disneyland quietly removes controversial lyric from new parade soundtrack, Fannie Mae halts financing for 6,102 condos in Laguna Woods, Tax filing deadline moves to mid-October for most Californians, 2 arrested in Anaheim on suspicion of possessing $463,000 in stolen merchandise, Baram and Tioumentsev win World Junior title hours after their coach, Todd Sand, suffers heart attack, Lake Forest woman filed restraining order against daughter 8 years before being killed in their home, Lake Forest man convicted of killing stepmom with pickaxe, OC Restaurant Week kicks off Sunday, March 5, California weighs $360,000 in reparations to eligible Black residents, 5 things I cant wait to eat in Disneylands new Toontown and 4 Ill definitely skip, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Event starts on Sunday, 12 March 2023 and happening at Richmond Bar & Grill, El Segundo, CA. Also, please click here to see a full list of more specific volunteer opportunities. Afghans were the second top nationality to seek asylum in the EU last year, and have increasingly fled the spiraling security, humanitarian and economic troubles that followed the Taliban takeover in August 2021. To date, volunteers have put on nearly 1,600 Red/Blue Workshops and 275 structured debates in all 50 states. And Metchek argued thats none of anybodys business., Metchek instead pointed the finger at consumers, arguing most clothing ends up in landfills when individuals throw it away or leave it at Goodwill or Salvation Army, where it may never sell. Join our legion of Americans who believe that the fight to save our nation begins with a ceasefire among ourselves. [7], The organization's original Better Angels name was inspired by Lincoln's plea for national unity at the close of his first inaugural address. The particular debate topic was posited in the affirmative: To abolish the Electoral College system of presidential voting in favor of a national popular vote. braver angels criticism. Now is a time for us to reject those voices that say we dont. Alternatively, if you have a gmail.com email address, try the the Continue with Google login option. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), Flora Rojas, of Pasadena, shops at the Goodwill Atwater Village store in Los Angeles on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. He blogs at www.casinocap.wordpress.com and www.tukaglobal.com. "Anything we can do to counter that in our interpersonal relationships, those types of conversations that humanize the other, all have a role to play in reducing political violence in this moment," Hiller says. The beach at Steccato di Cutro, on Calabrias Ionian coast, was littered Monday with the splintered remains of the migrant vessel as well as with passengers belongs: a toddlers tiny pink sneaker, Mickey Mouse pajama pants and a yellow plastic pencil case decorated with pandas. My goal, as the author here, is to find the best common ground among all the various affected participants so that we come out of this with something that is actionable and workable and that the governor signs.. We engage differently as a society, information has become a commodity, and we know both too much and too little about the complexities it has fostered. We are more connected on the superficial, yet more isolated on the meaningful, than ever before. [7], The Braver Angels Podcast began in 2017, hosted by a rotating group of Braver Angels leaders including David Blankenhorn, John Wood Jr., Alma Cook, April Lawson, Ciaran O'Connor, and Mnica Guzmn. Austin police work to separate supporters of President Donald Trump and supporters of President-elect Joe Biden as they protest near the state Capitol on Nov. 7, 2020, in Austin, Texas. His company provides bins that can be set up at a manufacturer or retail store, where consumers can return unwanted items. Talk around legislation to boost battery recycling started more than a decade ago. Goodwill would be a key player as a site to repurpose used clothing. But with the nation facing such deep and bitter polarization, is that enough? The organization runs workshops, debates, and other events where "red" (conservative) and "blue" (liberal) participants attempt to better understand one another's positions and discover their shared values. Rescue crews searched by sea and air Monday for the dozens of people believed still missing from a shipwreck off Italys southern coast that drove home once again the desperate and dangerous crossings of migrants seeking to reach Europe. 40 were here. Rescue officials say an undetermined number of migrants have died and dozens have been rescued after their boat broke apart off southern Italy. Learn more about policies and standards in APs Statement of News Values and Principles. I can agree with this, but I wonder if we really need to do more in order to depolarize politics. Fashion companies would have to help recycle, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Fashion companies would have to help recycle clothes under proposed California bill, Orange Unified appoints acting superintendent from its own ranks, Ron DeSantis, Gavin Newsoms political foe, set to visit Southern California.